Obituary of William R. Craven

William R. Craven, of Emeritus Living, formerly of 21 South Hanford Avenue, West Ellicott, died Sunday September 12, 2010, in WCA Hospital. He was born June 5, 1930, in Meadville, PA, a son of the late Niles and Ida McLaren Craven. He was a graduate of Meadville High School and was a Korean War veteran of the US Air Force serving in Japan. Prior to his retirement he was employed by Alltel having held various management positions. He was a member of Zion Covenant Church. Surviving are his wife the former Bettye VanSlyke, whom he married May 22, 1954, a daughter Christa (Jill Shaffer) Craven of Erie; two sons Vernon (Lynn McLane) Craven of Frewsburg and Kenneth (Christina Erdley) Craven of Kittanning, PA; four grandchildren Jennifer (Andrew) Nelson of Erie, Autumn (Brian) Hagberg of Warren, PA, Nick Craven and Alex Craven, both of Kittanning; an aunt Betty McLaren of Townville, PA and several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a brother Hoyt Gillette and a sister Dorothy Showers. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Lind Funeral Home. Rev. Rick Miller will officiate. Burial will be in Greendale Cemetery, Meadville, PA. Friends will be received from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home. You may light a candle in remembrance of Bill at www.lindfuneralhome.com.